Earth Goddesses – By George Youssef

A primordial component of all early religions was the cult of the mother goddess, who represented earth, fertility and all aspects of creation. In honor of Earth Day, TIME takes a look at some of the more interesting mama deities.

One of the most important deities of ancient Egypt, Isis held several roles. Not only was she a principal deity in the rites connected with the dead, but she was also a magical healer, and as a mother figure and arbiter of fertility rites, she was a role model for women. Isis was the daughter of the earth god Geb and the sky goddess Nut and was married to Osiris, King of Egypt, whom she restored as a mummy after his brother Seth threw him in the Nile and then chopped him into pieces.

Forget Mother Earth: the Hindu goddess Durga (“the inaccessible”) is considered the mother of the universe. It’s only right that such a powerful deity have at least eight arms, ride a lion, and be able to defeat demons that other gods cannot. It’s also fitting that the beautiful protective-warrior goddess have a festival in her honor each year: Durga Puja is celebrated, primarily in eastern India, during the harvest season